Highlights
- Granbull, despite its aggressive appearance, is actually timid and easily spooked, drawing inspiration from the mythical Cù-sith/Cú Sidhe.
- Cutiefly, the Bee Fly Pokemon, may be small but possesses the ability to sense auras and identify flowers that are about to bloom.
- Sylveon, the prettiest Eeveelution, resembles the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e and uses its ribbon-like feelers to trap foes and weaken hostility.
It may not seem like it now, but for years the Pokemon universe didn't have a Fairy-type. Despite Pokemon like Clefairy with its fairy wings or Granbull literally being described as such in the Pokedex, it wasn't until the release of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y in 2013 that the typing was officially introduced in the Pokemon franchise.
Since then, a select few Pokemon before the sixth generation were blessed with the Fairy-type (including Clefairy and Granbull), and dozens of Pokemon have been designed to fit the majestic theme. But only a few genuinely encapsulate the pure magic and mythology of fairies, from Pokemon resembling British sweet treats to a literal unicorn.
10 Granbull
Granbull's design is peculiar because it's the least Fairy-type. The Pokemon is a bipedal bulldog with a seemingly aggressive disposition. Despite its formidable appearance, it's "actually timid and easily spooked," according to its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Gold.
As for where the Fairy-typing comes from, Granbull may be inspired by the Cù-sith/Cú Sidhe, a mythical dog in Celtic folklore. These mythical hounds are feared, which matches the tough demeanor of Granbull and its pre-evolution, Snubull. But their personality matches that of actual dogs, being friendly and kind.
9 Scream Tail
Like other Paradox creatures in Pokemon Scarlet, Scream Tail gives Jigglypuff a primal edge with its long hair and fangs. That's not to say that Scream Tail doesn't have the cuteness of its descendant - it still resembles a balloon with its round shape with a pink color palette.
But looking further into Scream Tail's golden eyes and fangs, the Paradox Pokemon is quite menacing. This links back to Jigglypuff's Pokedex entry in Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, which says Jigglypuff "uses its cute round eyes to enrapture its foe."
8 Wigglytuff
Wigglytuff ups the cuteness factor from Jigglypuff, transforming into a massive rabbit-like creature. Wigglytuff retains some features of its predecessor, with its light pink fur and big, blue eyes remaining. Linking back to its Fairy-typing, Jigglypuff can only evolve by exposure to a Moon Stone, much like Clefairy and Clefable.
Though it is known as the Balloon Pokemon, much like Jigglypuff, it's seemingly based on the Moon Rabbit. This magical creature is common in folklore around the world, based on the rabbit/hare-like markings on the moon.
7 Cutiefly
One of the smallest (and cutest) Pokemon, Cutiefly's design resembles that of a tiny fairy butterfly mixed with a bumble bee. After all, it is known as the Bee Fly Pokemon, which is actually an insect. These little critters collect nectar but aren't related to the bumblebee and don't bite or sting.
Despite its small stature, this Pokemon can sense auras like Riolu and Lucario. Cutiefly uses this ability to "identify which flowers are about to bloom," as noted in its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Sun.
6 Clefairy
Of all the Fairy-type Pokemon in the franchise, Clefairy is the original. While it started with a Normal-typing, its design was clearly inspired by a whimsical fairy-like creature from its little wings and star shape. According to its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Gold, Clefairy doesn't use these wings to fly. Instead, it stores moonlight within them so they can float.
Groups of Clefairy are usually found dancing beneath the full moon's light, with its "faintly growing wings confer[ing] upon it a lovely fairy-like quality," as described in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
5 Hatterene
Hatterene has a bizarre, witch-like quality mixed in with its magical pastel blue and pink coloring. Known as the Silent Pokemon, the dual Fairy/Psychic-type Hatterene seems unassuming but is quite a violent Pokemon - especially when considering its tassel-looking tentacle.
This Pokemon's design closely resembles a witch, but it may also be inspired by the Harionago - a female yōkai with hair that at its tips is "fitted with a needle-like, barbed hook." As noted in Pokemon Shield, if trainers are too loud around Hatterene, they "risk being torn apart by the claws on its tentacle."
4 Tinkaton
Thanks to its impressive strength, Tinkaton has become a fan favorite in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. This Pokemon is quite unassuming in design but packs one hell of a punch with its steel hammer. As it starts off with a small mallet as Tinkatink, it seems that this Pokemon forges its weapon as it evolves.
The dual Fairy/Steel-type Tinkaton doesn't like flying Pokemon and has it out for Corviknight. This suggests that Tinkaton's design may be based on Gremlins, as they were once thought to sabotage aircraft during the Second World War.
3 Alcremie
Alcremie was first introduced in Galar, a region inspired by the United Kingdom. And the Pokemon represents the most British of puddings – strawberries and cream. It also resembles an Eton Mess, which consists of strawberries, meringue, and whipped cream.
Evolving Milcery to Alcremie requires a bizarre process of having Milcrey hold a specific sweet and the player spinning clockwise or counterclockwise at different times of the day. This process results in various types of Alcremie, replacing the strawberries with different fruit and sweets.
2 Sylveon
Sylveon is the prettiest of all the Eeveelutions and was designed to match its pure Fairy-type when the typing was introduced in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y. The Pokemon takes on a pastel color palette, complete with bows on its neck and ears. Sylveon resembles the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, often adorned in ribbons.
These ribbon-like "feelers" wrap around its body, which Sylveon uses to wrap "around the arm of its beloved Trainer while walking with them," according to its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Y. Sylveon can also use these unassuming appendages to trap its foes, as the feelers "give off an aura that weakens hostility in its pretty, causing them to let down their guard," according to Pokemon Sun's Pokedex entry.
1 Galarian Ponyta
Rapidash has always given off the aura of being a unicorn with its small horn, but this aspect of its design truly came to fruition in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Galarian Rapidash takes on the form of a magical unicorn, complete with sleek, pastel-colored hair on its mane and tail. Like its pre-evolution Ponyta, this regional variant looks utterly ethereal.
Galarian Rapidash and Ponyta have the ability Pastel Veil, which prevents allies from being affected by poison, linking back to the myth that unicorn horns can cure poison.